No. 22.
“Of comfort no man speak;
Let’s talk of graves and worms and epitaphs!”—Shakespeare.
Typical of the overwhelming grief which seized the Conservative Party on being turned out of office, after a reign of nearly twenty years.
November 1st, 1873.
No. 22.
“OF COMFORT NO MAN SPEAK;
LET’S TALK OF GRAVES AND WORMS AND EPITAPHS!”—Shakespeare.
No. 23.
“Miss Canada’s School.”
Being a word of advice to the new Premier. The persons represented in the cartoon, are, commencing at the head of the “class,” Hon. A. Mackenzie, Hon. Edward Blake, Hon. Geo. Brown, Hon. E. B. Wood, Louis Riel (who had been elected M. P. for Provencher, Manitoba), Hon. M. Langevin, James Beaty, Esq., M. P., T. C. Patteson, Esq., manager of The Mail, Sir Francis Hincks, and Sir John Macdonald. Monitor, His Excellency, Earl Dufferin, Gov. General.
November 8th, 1873.
No. 23.
MISS CANADA’S SCHOOL (Dedicated to the New Premier.)
Miss Canada (to the Boy at the Head)—“NOW ALEXANDER, BE VERY CAREFUL, OR I’LL PUT YOU WHERE JOHN IS!”
No. 24.
“The Political Mother Hubbard.”
It had been currently reported in the newspapers that the dignity of the Lieut. Governorship of Ontario was to have been bestowed on the Hon. George Brown, immediately on the accession to power of the Reform Government. The new ministers discovered, however, that Sir John Macdonald, had, in the last gasp of his official life, appointed one of his own colleagues, (the Hon. John Crawford) to the position in question, besides disposing of ninety-nine other “places” in the gift of the First Minister.
November 15th, 1873.
No. 24.
THE POLITICAL MOTHER HUBBARD
AND JOHN A.’S “DYING INIQUITY.”
No. 25.
“The Irrepressible Jack.”
The circumstance under which Sir John Macdonald was deposed from power seemed to warrant the assumption of the Reformers that he was “done for.” But on the contrary it only seemed the signal for additional honours to be heaped upon him by the Conservative Party, who unhesitatingly chose him leader of the opposition, and nominated him as member for Kingston, West Toronto, &c., not to mention banquets, and other species of emphasis.
November 22nd, 1873.
No. 25.
THE IRREPRESSIBLE JACK;
OR, THE CONSERVATIVE RESUSCITATION.
John A. (Side Showman)—“DID YOU THINK THE LITTLE FELLER’S SPRING WAS BROKE, MY DEARS?”
No. 26.
“The Premier’s Model.”
In an address to the electors of Lambton, soon after the accession to power of the Reform Party, Mr. Mackenzie declared the cardinal points of the policy he would inaugurate, as leader, to be “Electoral Purity” and “the Independence of Parliament.” (Before entering political life, Mr. Mackenzie followed the vocation of stone-mason.)
November 29th, 1873.
No. 26.
THE PREMIER’S MODEL;
OR, “IMPLEMENTS TO THOSE WHO CAN USE THEM.”
Canada—“WELL AND BRAVELY DONE, MACKENZIE, NOW STAND BY THAT POLICY, AND I’M WITH YOU ALWAYS!”
No. 27.
“The Liberal Programme.”
An adaptation of one of Leech’s Cartoons, in Punch, to Canadian circumstances—the cleansing of the Legislature after the corrupt Conservative regime.
December 6th, 1873.
No. 27.
THE LIBERAL PROGRAMME;
OR, THE ERA OF PURIFICATION.
No. 28.
“The Political Giant-killer.”
The “Canada First” movement, having for its object the cultivation of a national sentiment and the extinction of political party strife, was inaugurated about this time.
December 13th, 1873.
No. 28.
THE POLITICAL GIANT-KILLER;
OR, “CANADA FIRST.”
No. 29.
“The West Toronto Run.”
In the General Election which followed the defeat of the Conservative Government, Mr. E. O. Bickford contested West Toronto in the interest of the New Opposition, and rested his claims to the seat mainly on the prestige of Sir John Macdonald, declaring that, if elected, he would follow that honourable gentleman through weal or woe. As the cartoon suggests, he met with defeat.
December 20, 1873.
No. 29.
THE WEST TORONTO RUN.
B—ckf—rd (Jockey of the Nag “John A.”)—SAY, GUV’NOR, LOOK HERE, THIS HOSS AIN’T WOTH SHUCKS ON HIS OWN MERITS!
No. 30.
“Christmas Pie.”
The treat which Santa Claus had in store for the Reformers.
December 27th, 1873.
No. 30.
“CHRISTMAS PIE!”
No. 31.
Johnny’s “Turn;” or, New Year’s Joy.
The election of Mr. D’Arcy Boulton as Conservative Member for South Simcoe, in the Ontario Legislature, took place about this time. Although the influence of this event on the fortunes of the late Premier of the Dominion was hardly discoverable, it was hailed by the Conservative Press as the earnest of a reaction in favour of that party. A Mr. Saunders (whose face our artist had not seen) was Mr. Boulton’s opponent in the contest.
January 3rd, 1874.
No. 31.
JOHNNY’S “TURN,” OR NEW YEAR’S JOY.
No. 32.
“The Cruel Object of Dissolution.”
Mr. Mackenzie and his colleagues advised the dissolution of Parliament on taking office. This was accordingly carried out, with the object, as the cartoon suggests, of keeping Sir John and his comrades “out in the cold.”
January 10th, 1874.
No. 32.
THE CRUEL OBJECT OF “DISSOLUTION.”
No. 33.
“Never Out!”
A Bill for the incorporation of the Orange Societies was at this time occupying the attention of the Ontario Legislature, and creating considerable interest. It was treated as a test question when it came to the vote, and the Opposition anticipated the defeat of the Government, who, by the way, opposed the measure. The decision of the umpire, after the ball was bowled, is pictured in the cartoon.
January 17th, 1874.
No. 33.
“NEVER OUT.”
No. 34.
“The New Heathen Chinee.”
The analogy sought to be pointed out between the new Premier and Bret Harte’s famous “Ah Sin” was merely in the possession of a great advantage in the way of cards. Mr. Mackenzie went to the country with the “Pacific Scandal” for a text, and it proved as ruinous to the Conservative Party as Ah Sins “twenty-four packs” did to “Bill Nye” and his Pardner. This explanation is needed, as the cartoon was considered, by some who misunderstood it, to impugn the honesty of the gentleman represented.
January 24th, 1874.
No. 34.
THE NEW “HEATHEN CHINEE;”
OR, THE WINNING HAND AND SLEEVE.
No. 35.
“Political Pastimes.”
Political sport, analogous to this, occupied the minds of the “boys” and the newspapers during the recess.
January 31st, 1874.
No. 35.
POLITICAL PASTIMES.
No. 36.
“Pity the Dominie; or, Johnny’s Return.”
Anent the re-election of Sir John A. Macdonald as member for Kingston, in the general election which followed the accession of the Reform Government.
February 7th, 1874.
No. 35.
PITY THE DOMINIE! OR JOHNNY’S RETURN.
Canada—“HERE’S OUR JOHNNY FOR YOU AGAIN, MR. MACKENZIE! YOU’LL FIND HIM APT ENOUGH, BUT FRANKLY, SIR, HE’S FULL OF MISCHIEF!”
No. 37.
“‘Grip’s’ Valentine to Canada.”
The leading English and American Newspapers had been interested spectators of the great Political Drama of the Pacific Scandal, and joined in praising the purity and pluck exhibited by the Canadian people in so promptly ejecting its authors from the high places they had dishonoured.
February 14th, 1874.
No. 37.
“GRIP’S” VALENTINE TO CANADA.
FOR INTERPRETATION WHEREOF SEE THE ENGLISH AND AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS.
No. 38.
“The New Departure.”
Hon. Edward Blake’s withdrawal from the new Government very shortly after it had taken possession of the Treasury Benches, created an unpleasant sensation throughout the country. The hon. gentleman had been perhaps the main instrument in bringing about the fall of the preceding Cabinet.
February 21st, 1874.
No. 38.
THE NEW DEPARTURE.
Spouse B—e.—“FAREWELL FOR THE PRESENT, DEAR; YOU AND THE GIRLS MUST MANAGE THE HOUSE IN MY ABSENCE!”
No. 39.
“The Curse of Canada.”
Whiskey.
February 28th, 1874.
No. 39.
THE CURSE OF CANADA.
IS THERE NO ARM TO SAVE?
No. 40.
“The Opposition Quartette.”
The most prominent members of the Opposition (Conservative) in the Ontario Legislature were Messrs. M. C. Cameron, Q.C., J. Chas. Rykert, A. W. Lauder and A. Boultbee. These gentlemen were always most active and energetic in their labour of fault-finding, and at the time of the Cartoon were ringing the changes on the public accounts of the Province, which were undergoing examination in Committee.
March 7th, 1874.
No. 40.
THE OPPOSITION QUARTETTE
PERFORMING THE NEW AND HIGHLY AGGRAVATING AIR ENTITLED “PUBLIC ACCOUNTS.”
No. 41.
“The Political Handy Andy.”
Hon. Archibald McKellar, Commissioner of Agriculture for Ontario, whose official record was certainly marked by occasional “blunders,” was, notwithstanding, popularly looked upon as one of the most trustworthy and useful members of the Mowat Ministry.
March 14th, 1874.
No. 41.
THE POLITICAL HANDY ANDY.
SQUIRE MOWAT.—(Per The St. Catharines Times, Ministerial)—“FOR SOME REASON OR OTHER YOU ARE CONSTANTLY MAKING SMALL AND FOOLISH MISTAKES!”
No. 42.
“A Question for Pay Day.”
The “Opposition Quartette” had vigorously assailed the action of the Hon. A. McKellar for having, in his capacity as Minister of Public Works, granted a half holiday (at the public expense) to the workmen engaged in building the Central Prison at Toronto, to allow them an opportunity of attending a nomination meeting in the West Division of the city. In view of the meagre amount of work done on the left side of the Speaker during the Session, “Grip’s” question was quite logical.
March 21st, 1874.
No. 42.
A QUESTION FOR PAY DAY;
Or, “CENTRAL PRISON” LOGIC APPLIED.
Grip (loq.)—“GENTLEMEN, IS THERE ANY ‘SCANDAL’ ABOUT YOUR DRAWING A FULL SESSION’S PAY FOR—NO WORK AT ALL?”
No. 43.
“‘Grip’s’ Perpetual Comedy.”
The adjournment of the Ontario Legislature was immediately followed by the assembling of the Dominion Parliament at Ottawa.
March 28th, 1874.
No. 43.
“GRIP’S” PERPETUAL COMEDY.
“THEY HAVE THEIR EXITS AND THEIR ENTRANCES.”—Shakespeare.
No. 44.
“The Vacant Chair.”
Louis Riel, the leader of the Red River Rebellion and alleged murderer of Thomas Scott, had been returned for Provencher, Manitoba, to the Dominion Parliament. He prudently failed to take his seat in the House, while the unanimity with which both sides cried for his arrest made “the vacant chair” a bond of union for the time being.
April 4th, 1874.
No. 44.
THE VACANT CHAIR.
A RIEL BOND OF UNION.
No. 45.
“The Science of Cheek.”
A great sensation was caused throughout the country at the announcement that Riel had actually appeared in the House at Ottawa and signed the Members’ Roll. This he did incog., and immediately afterwards disappeared. The cartoon anticipated his next step in the “Science of Cheek.”
April 11th, 1874.
No. 45.
THE SCIENCE OF CHEEK;
OR, RIEL’S NEXT MOVE.
Riel (loq.)—“FIVE TOUSSAND DOLLARES! BY GAR, I SHALL ARREST ZE SCOUNDREL MYSELF!”
No. 46.
“A Touching Appeal.”
On the accession of Mr. Mackenzie’s Government a large deficit in the treasury was discovered. Mr. Cartwright, Finance Minister, in his Budget speech, attributed this to the extravagance and corruption of the preceding administration. A new tariff was issued, in which the duties on various articles were raised considerably.
April 18th, 1874.
No. 46.
A TOUCHING APPEAL.
(“TOUCHING” THE SECRET OF INCREASED TAXATION.)
Young Canada—“SAY, UNCLE JOHN, WON’T YOU GIVE ME A ‘DEFICIT?’ MA SAYS YOU GAVE THE GRITS ONE!”
No. 47.
“Protestantism at Ottawa.”
The new tariff proved very unpopular in many points, and the Finance Minister was for several weeks fairly besieged by the representatives of various branches of trade and commerce, who called to protest against the objectionable items.
April 25th, 1874.
No. 47.
PROTESTANTISM AT OTTAWA;
OR, “JOB” CARTWRIGHT’S COMFORTERS.
BEING ONE OF THE “PLEASANTRIES OF PUBLIC LIFE.”
No. 48.
“Mrs. Gamp’s Home-Thrust.”
Early in the session a committee was appointed to inquire into the cause of the North-West difficulties, and during the progress of the inquiry evidence was elicited (mainly from Archbishop Tache) which implicated Sir John A. Macdonald. The Reform Party is represented in the cartoon as facetiously anticipating a repetition of the right hon. gentleman’s famous asseveration of his innocence. (See Cartoon No. 11.)
May 2nd, 1874.
No. 48.
MRS. GAMP’S HOME-THRUST.
Sairey Gamp (The Reform Party)—“’AVEN’T GOT NOTHINK TO SAY ABOUT THEM ’ANDS THIS TIME, I SUPPOGE, MISTER SIR JOHN?”
No. 49.
“The Political Atlas.”
Hon. J. R. Cartwright, Finance Minister, became the object of incessant newspaper attack. Sir Francis Hincks, who boasted a great reputation as a financier, wrote a profound essay in The Mail to prove Cartwright’s incapacity.
May 9th, 1874.
No. 49.
THE POLITICAL ATLAS.
WHO WOULDN’T BE FINANCE MINISTER?
No. 50.
“Pacific Pastimes.”
The Reform Government took up the Pacific Railway scheme, but initiated a new policy with regard to it. Sir John Macdonald had pledged the country to complete the entire work within ten years. Mr. Mackenzie characterized this as a physical impossibility, and proposed, as the cartoon has it, “to tak the distance in sensible like jumps, ye ken!”
May 16th, 1874.
No. 50.
PACIFIC PASTIMES; OR, THE “HARD ROAD TO TRAVEL.”
No. 51.
“Dignity” without “Impudence.”
The Dominion Senate, usually so passive and quiet, strikingly signalized its life and vim during this session by throwing out a bill introduced by Mr. Cameron, M.P. for South Huron, having for its object the re-distribution of the electoral divisions composing that Riding.
May 23rd, 1874.
No. 51.
“DIGNITY,” WITHOUT “IMPUDENCE.”
Old Madame Senate—“I SAY, Mr. LOWER-HOUSE MACKENZIE, WHO’S RUNNING THIS COUNTRY, ANYHOW?”
No. 52.
“Ambition’s Thorny Path.”
Dr. John Herbert Sangster appeared as a candidate for a seat in the Council of Public Instruction. His candidature was warmly supported by many of the public school teachers of Ontario, and as ardently opposed, on personal grounds, by The Globe newspaper and many others.
May 23rd, 1874.
No. 52.
AMBITION’S THORNY PATH.